Pater Familias

Beware the indiscriminate father

For he could well mistake you for his child

And, while insisting that it is no bother

Bombard you with advice from dull to wild

One can understand how this comes to pass:

Having sired fresh humans, such a man

Might think all humans are his kids, the ass

And start to lives for all and sundry plan

But just because you are father to some

It does not follow that you fathered all

While at home, you might loom darkly fearsome

But ranging freely, where’d you find the gall?

To scold and hector innocent strangers

Will expose you to serious dangers